Liverpool join West Ham United in race to sign Alex Song from Barcelona

Liverpool have joined West Ham United in the race to sign Alexong from Barcelona on a permanent dealGetty

Liverpool have reportedly joined West Ham United in the race to sign midfielder Alex Song from Barcelona.

The former Cameroon international has impressed following his loan move to the Upton Park in the summer and the club are now keen to sign him on a permanent deal.

According to the Telegraph, Brendan Rodgers is also an admirer of the former Arsenal midfielder and is looking to beat the Hammers to his signing.

The Northern Irishman is on the market looking for midfielders to replace the departing Steven Gerrard, who is set to join MLS club LA Galaxy in the summer. The Reds manager has been scouring the market and have been linked to AS Roma's Miralem Pjanic and Aston Villa's Fabian Delph as possible replacements for his skipper.

Song has been in fine form for the Hammers this season, and has settled back into English football with ease. The midfielder is on the final-year of his contract and is free to agree a pre-contract with clubs in England ahead of a summer move.

Sam Allardyce is a big fan of the midfielder and will be disappointed to lose him to a direct rival. The manager is keen to tie up a deal in the ongoing transfer window, as Song will have his pick of clubs in the summer.

West Ham are having a great Premier League season, and spent most of the first-half of the season in the top four. Only recently have they slipped to seventh place, but are just four points away from the Champions League places. They will be reluctant to lose Song, who has played a vital role in their fantastic start.